Abstract: A catalytic combustor (14) includes a first catalytic stage (30), a second catalytic stage (40), and an oxidation completion stage (49). The first catalytic stage receives an oxidizer (e.g., 20) and a fuel (26) and discharges a partially oxidized fuel/oxidizer mixture (36). The second catalytic stage receives the partially oxidized fuel/oxidizer mixture and further oxidizes the mixture. The second catalytic stage may include a passageway (47) for conducting a bypass portion (46) of the mixture past a catalyst (e.g., 41) disposed therein. The second catalytic stage may have an outlet temperature elevated sufficiently to complete oxidation of the mixture without using a separate ignition source. The oxidation completion stage is disposed downstream of the second catalytic stage and may recombine the bypass portion with a catalyst exposed portion (48) of the mixture and complete oxidation of the mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 may include a generator 22 and a combustion turbine 24 for driving the generator, the combustion turbine having an air inlet 40 for receiving an inlet air flow. The apparatus may also include an inlet air flow sampling sensor 26. The inlet air flow sampling sensor 26, in turn, may include a solution container 46 for containing a solution 50 for sampled air from the inlet air flow. The inlet air flow sampling sensor 26 additionally may include sensing circuitry for sensing at least one dissolved material in the solution 50. For example, the material may be salt, such as found in the inlet air for coastal power plants.

Abstract: A method of making a tube having an expanded region which includes the steps of providing an elongated metal tube, preparing the tube to be expanded, and, exerting a generally uniform outwardly radial force to create the expanded region. During the preparation step, a region of the tube is annealed by applying heat. The outward radial force may be created by pressurizing the tube, by freezing water within the tube or by axially rotating the tube.

Abstract: A method of making a tube having an expanded region which includes the steps of providing an elongated metal tube, preparing the tube to be expanded, and, exerting a generally uniform outwardly radial force to create the expanded region. During the preparation step, a region of the tube is annealed by applying heat. The outward radial force may be created by pressurizing the tube, by freezing water within the tube or by axially rotating the tube.

Abstract: A gasket (1) is made by repetitively spirally winding a fiber (3) back on itself in a closed path. The gasket (1) so made has a multi-layer spiral winding (1) formed in a loop (5). The fiber (3) can be wound at a constant wrap rate to form a gasket with a uniform cross-section around the loop. Alternatively, the wrap rate can be varied, increased to increase cross-sectional bulk, and decreased to reduce cross-section bulk around the loop (5). Also, the spiral winding (7) can be applied over a core (13) of either strands of the fiber (3) or a dissimilar material providing a desired property such as resiliency, stiffness or others. For high temperature applications, a ceramic fiber (3) can be used. The gasket (1) can have any of various geometric configurations with or without a core (13).

Abstract: A filter assembly (60) for holding a filter element (28) within a hot gas cleanup system pressure vessel is provided, containing: a filter housing (62), said filter housing inner walls defining a joint (98), said walls defining an interior volume (67); a one piece, fail-safe/regenerator device (68) within the interior chamber (67) of the filter housing (62) having outer walls defining a joint (98′) which mates with the filter assembly joint (98), containing outward-extending radial flanges (99 and 99′) with mating holes (100 and 100′) through both the housing (62) and fail-safe/regenerator device (68) for seating an essential sealing means (70) between the joints (98 and 98′).

Abstract: A filter assembly is made for filtering hot gas within a cleanup system pressure vessel (22), where the filter assembly (60) contains a filter housing (62) having an interior chamber (66), and a filter element (28) attached to the bottom of a fail-safe/regenerator filter device (129) which contains a plurality of elongated passageway members either of a porous metal media tube type (120) or of a porous metal media honeycomb cartridge member type (130), where the passageway members are effective to facilitate enhanced capture of particulates in the event of filter element (28) failure.

Abstract: A filter assembly (60) for holding a filter element (28) within a hot gas cleanup system pressure vessel is provided, containing: a filter housing (62), said filter housing having a certain axial length and having a peripheral sidewall, said sidewall defining an interior chamber (66); a one piece, all metal, fail-safe/regenerator device (68) within the interior chamber (66) of the filter housing (62) and/or extending beyond the axial length of the filter housing, said device containing an outward extending radial flange (71) within the filter housing for seating an essential seal (70), the device also having heat transfer media (72) disposed inside and screens (80) for particulate removal; one compliant gasket (70) positioned next to and above the outward extending radial flange of the fail-safe/regenerator device; and a porous metallic corrosion resistant superalloy type filter element body welded at the bottom of the metal fail-safe/regenerator device.

Abstract: A filter element for separating fine dirty particles from a hot gas. The filter element comprises a first porous wall and a second porous wall. Each porous wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. The first and second porous walls being coupled together thereby forming a substantially closed figure and open at one end. The open end is formed to be coupled to a hot gas clean up system support structure. The first and second porous walls define a channel beginning at the open end and terminate at the closed end through which a filtered clean gas can flow through and out into the clean gas side of a hot gas clean up system.

Abstract: A filter holder and gasket assembly for holding a candle filter element within a hot gas cleanup system pressure vessel. The filter holder and gasket assembly includes a filter housing, an annular spacer ring securely attached within the filter housing, a gasket sock, a top gasket, a middle gasket and a cast nut.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the volume of spent ion exchange resins containing radioactive contaminants, and a filter aid having groups reactive with the functional groups of the resins. Spent ion exchange resin and the filter aid are dewatered, then subject to a pressure of about 2000 psi in conjunction with 250.degree. C. heat to reduce the volume occupied by the resin by up to a factor of 5 and impart rewet stability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for rapidly forming a solid monolith of an aqueous mixture of an ion exchange resin and boric acid. A fouling agent and sufficient basic accelerator to neutralize the mixture are added. Cement is then added which hardens in a few hours. Also disclosed is a composition of the ion exchange resin, boric acid, water, a fouling agent, a basic accelerator, and cement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for encapsulating in cement a boric acid slurry which is at least about 30% boric acid. To the sulrry is added about 3.5 to about 4.5% dispersing agent, about 0.02 to about 0.03 ml/g of a cement retarder, up to about 0.4% of a hardener, and sufficient cement to bring the weight ratio of water to cement to about 0.4 to about 0.6. Also disclosed is a cement composition produced by said method.